HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5249

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Talmadge and Bottiger)

Clarifying payment of court filing fees.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Armstrong, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Brough, Hargrove, Heavey, Niemi, Scott, Wang and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Moyer.

House Staff:Harry Reinert (786-7110)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 7, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The filing fee for review of a trial court decision by the court of appeals or the supreme court is $100.  If a case is heard first by the court of appeals, there is no additional fee for filing for review by the supreme court.  There is a fee of $2 for a certificate showing admission of an attorney to practice law.

There is a $20 filing fee for civil cases in district courts.

The filing fee for all civil and probate actions in superior court is $70.  The $70 fee also applies to appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction to the superior court.  A criminal defendant upon conviction or plea of guilty is liable for a $70 fee.  There is no fee for filing a petition for modification of a decree of dissolution.

SUMMARY:

The filing fee for review of a trial court decision by the court of appeals or supreme court is increased to $125.  An additional fee of $100 is imposed for filing for review of a court of appeals decision by the supreme court.  The fee for a certificate showing admission to practice law is increased to $5.

The fee for filing a civil case involving amounts of $2,000 or less is increased to $25.  For cases involving amounts of more than $2,000, the filing fee is increased to $25.

The filing fee in superior court is increased to $75.  An additional fee of $20 is imposed for filing a petition for modification of a decree of dissolution.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jim Goche, WACO; Ben Wood, SCA Credit; John Fattorini, WSBA; Kurt Sharar, Washington Association of Counties.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It has been six years since court filing fees have been increased.  The proposed increases are moderate and will help to pay an increased portion of the cost of operating the courts.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.